Dr. Ciro de Quadros, a Brazilian epidemiologist who was a central figure in the eradication of polio from Latin America and the Caribbean, was today honored as a Public Health Hero of the Americas by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

De Quadros accepted the award from PAHO/WHO Director Carissa F. Etienne during an international vaccine symposium marking the 20th anniversary of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, where De Quadros is Executive Vice President and Director of Vaccine Advocacy and Education.

“Ciro’s long and distinguished career in public health not only coincided with but indeed accelerated the growing use of vaccines to save lives and eliminate diseases in the Americas and beyond,” said Etienne in honoring De Quadros. “We at PAHO believe that no single person has done more to extend the benefits of immunization to people throughout the Americas.”